Strait of Hormuz crisis traps 6,000 sailors as attacks on ships mount, UN maritime chief says
The United Nations’ top maritime official warned Sunday that thousands of sailors remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as attacks on commercial shipping escalate in the strategic waterway. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the situation remains “severe and critical,” noting that roughly 6,000 seafarers have been unable to leave the area since the conflict began.
His comments come as concerns grow over maritime safety in the region, where 24 ships were reportedly attacked over approximately two weeks, according to recent reports. Dominguez emphasized that seafarers are not combatants and should not be endangered by ongoing hostilities.
“The double blockade and too many vessels have been attacked, particularly in recent days,” Dominguez said. “Seafarers have continued to perish in these attacks.”
He urged vessels not to transit the Strait of Hormuz until guarantees for their safety can be established. As of October 9, the IMO had recorded 100 confirmed maritime incidents in the region since the conflict began on February 28, resulting in the deaths of 24 sailors.
The escalation in violence coincides with heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. On October 9, Iran’s ambassador to the IMO, Seyed Ali Mousavi, submitted a letter alleging that U.S. military forces operating in the Persian Gulf have used VHF Channel 16—the internationally designated maritime distress and safety frequency—to intimidate Iranian crews.
The letter claimed that during these transmissions, Iranian sailors were addressed in Persian with “threatening, abusive and provocative language” and were “urged to abandon their vessels.” It described how the channel had been repeatedly occupied for prolonged periods by U.S. forces.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) responded with a defense of its actions, stating that the naval blockade of Iranian ports has been in place for months and is communicated professionally to all international mariners. “Vessels that refuse to comply with blockade enforcement receive multiple warnings, with ample opportunity to comply,” CENTCOM said in a statement. “American forces remain highly vigilant, focused, and professional while fully enforcing the naval blockade against Iran.”
Iran has also accused the United States of turning a vital safety channel into an “instrument of military intimidation and psychological pressure against civilian crews.” However, the allegations in the letter did not include recordings, transcripts, or specific details of the alleged exchanges. Fox News Digital could not independently verify the claims.
Dominguez acknowledged that misuse of maritime communication channels is a growing concern. “We’ve seen this in several parts of the world where Channel 16, that should not be used for this kind of communication, starts receiving messages that may be perceived as threatening or that are outside the remit of why it was created,” he said.
He added that the IMO is considering whether stronger safeguards or regulatory reviews are necessary to prevent such incidents. While no formal investigation was announced, Dominguez said the organization would assess potential improvements to its rules and procedures.
“I take all that information, meet at the level of different meetings of the organization and have the discussions,” he said. “If it’s demonstrated that we probably need to improve our rules in order to avoid communications issues, or that we need to enhance the knowledge of how these channels should be used, that is a role for us.”
In addition to the security threats, Dominguez warned that fraudulent ship registries and false flags are contributing to the danger. He noted an increase in what he described as “shuttle tankers” using fake identities to transport goods in violation of sanctions, putting more vessels and crews at risk.
“There’s the irresponsible shipowners that are taking the risk in order to actually be able to trade and move some of the goods and the cargoes,” he said.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Dominguez confirmed that diplomatic channels with Iran remain open. He maintains regular communication with all IMO member states, including Iran, though he noted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is not directly involved in those discussions.
“Of course, that’s through the diplomatic channels. I don’t have direct contact with the IRGC,” he said. “What is difficult is to get final decisions because of the conflict that is ongoing.”
With conditions in the region showing no signs of improvement, the IMO continues to monitor the situation closely, urging greater protections for mariners caught in the crossfire of international conflict.